Police Arrest Cult Kingpin Over Plot to Kill Bayelsa Cleric

By BANNERNEWS Reporter
The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested a suspected cultist for allegedly plotting to assassinate a clergyman in the state.
The suspect, identified as Samuel Daniel, is said to be a member of the Greenlanders Confraternity and was picked up while allegedly attempting to break into the residence of a renowned prophet in Bayelsa.
Daniel was arrested by operatives of the Police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit following actionable intelligence, police authorities said.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to being a member of the outlawed confraternity and alleged that he was hired to carry out the killing.
He further claimed that a cleric, Pastor Elijah Oro, allegedly contracted him to eliminate the prophet.
Confirming the arrest in a statement on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Musa Muhammad, said the operation was intelligence-driven.
According to him, the suspects were arrested on January 28, 2026, at about 10:35 a.m., and include Samuel Daniel, 21, from Nembe Ogbolomabiri Community in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, and Pastor Elijah Oro, 59, from Ozoro Community in Delta State.
Muhammad said preliminary investigations revealed that Daniel was arrested within the prophet’s premises and had confessed to the alleged assassination plot, while investigations are ongoing to unravel the motive behind the plan.
The police spokesman assured residents of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and urged the public to continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies.